Big kids have fun promoting Little Boots Rodeo in Elk Grove Village

Elk Grove Village trustees participate in the "Pick-a-Pearl" contest with the help of Little Boots Foundation Director Jack Groat, far right, in promotion of the annual Little Boots Rodeo June 21-22.Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson, left, reads a note from TV personality Svengoolie, delivered by a balloon fish held by Village Attorney George Knickerbocker, right, at this week's village board meeting.Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer

The seventh annual Little Boots Rodeo in Elk Grove Village is meant for little kids, but the big kids don't mind having some fun promoting it.

Every year Little Boots Foundation Director Jack Groat comes to a village board meeting to promote the event, he says it always involves something fun and silly.

This past week, that meant a large, motorized flying balloon fish delivering a note from local TV star Svengoolie to Mayor Craig Johnson, challenging him to a flying pig contest at this year's rodeo.

In past years, Svengoolie and the mayor have competed in a mechanical bull contest and duck races.

And every year, Groat says, someone "always cheats, and it's always a tie."

Children can participate in 13 different events at this year's rodeo June 21-22, from cow milking and corn stripping to panning for gold and riding a zip line.

Another event is the Pick-a-Pearl contest, which Elk Grove trustees tried their hand at this week. All six trustees cracked open shells, but Trustee Nancy Czarnik was the winner because her pearl was pink and the others were white.

The rodeo, at Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21 and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 22. A punch card to participate in rodeo events is $12.

Proceeds from the event benefit local charities, such as the District 59 Education Foundation.

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